Diagnostic instrument



H. L. DE ZENG DIAGNosT'Ic INSTRUMENT Filed' ze, 1924 45 INVENTOR JZ l Hemtfn'g hDeng.

pPatented Jan. 26, 192.6.

UNITED STATES PATENT oFFtlcE.

HENRY L. DE ZENG, OF GENEVA, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO DE ZENG SIAN'IDARD` COMPANY, OF CAMDEN, NEW JERSEY,'A ACOIRCEOIRAELION 0F NEW JERSEY.

DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENT.

Application filed August 29, 1924. Serial No. 734,876.

To all Lo/0m t may concern.

Be it known that I, HENRY L. DE ZENG, a citizen of the United States, residing at Geneva, in the county of Ontario and State of New York, have invented certain newl and useful Improvements in Diagnostic Instruments, of which the following is a specification.

This invention 'relates to improvements in diagnostic instruments and has particular reference to that type of instrument having self-contained illuminating means for projection of a beam of light through a lens system.

Prior to my invention, diagnostic instruments having self-contained illuminating means have been in general use, but all of them have embodied certain inherent defects. The principal defect has been due to the fact that in the manufacture of incandescent bulbs used in such devices, variations occur in the position of the filament so that the filament is not centered 'in the center of the lamp butt. The resultis that when a. bulb with these inaccuracies is positioned in an electric socket, the filament will not be in line with the usual light passage way extending from the socket. Since most of such instruments have their light passage way provided with a condensing lens system and since the eiiciency of the bulb is greatest at the center of the filament, it is very desirable that the center of the filament should be in line with the axis of the lens system. This has been impossible in prior art instruments and as a result, the beam of light coming from the condensing lens system has not been uniform throughout its area. Furthermore, the beam of light in the old instruments has not been sufficiently intense to permit of the efficient use of light filters or screens.

I would also call attention to the fact that a great many diagnostic instruments, particularly ophthalmoscopes are provided with a refiecting surface having an elongated sight opening. Usually the reflector is made from two pieces slightly spaced apart, and the operator in using the Instrument sights through the space so formed. I have found that the utility of such an instrument is greatly improved v-by providing means whereb the bulb fila-ment may be positioned In a 'plane substantially at right angles to the plane of the elongated sight open- Ing.

One of the principal objects of my invention is to provide an improved diagnostic instrument having a self-contained illuminating means so mounted that it may be selectively moved transversely in relal tion to the light passage way.

Another object of my invention is to provlde such an improved diagnostic instrument with an electric socket for holding an incandescent bulb, said socket universallymovable, to compensate for variations in the bulb manufacture.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a device 'with an electric socket movable in a ball joint whereby the center of the bulb filament may be positioned in alignment with the sight opening and the condensing lens system.

Another object of my invention is to provide such a device with a light passage way and a condensing lens mounted therein, the position of the condensing lens being variable in relation to the illuminating means. Anothen object 0f my invention is to provide such a device with an adjustably mounted incandescent lamp and a condensing'lens system in line therewith the lens system being adjustable for the proper focusing of the light for the different positions of the lamp.

Another object of my invention is to provide a diagnostic instrument of this general character with a light filter or screen 'provide such a device with a plurality of screens any one of which may be positioned for use independently of the others.

Another object of my invention is toprovide a device of this character with improved means for connecting to a source of electric current. y I

Another object is to provide such a device with a handle member having means. for receiving a detachable electric., plug, and improved connecting means extending throug the handle to a source of light.

Still another object of my invention is to provide such an instrument which will be simple in construction, strong and durable in my invention. Figure 2 is a vertical, 'longitudinal sectional View through the same.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1. Figure 4 is a top plan View and Figure 5 is a horizontal sectional view on line 5-5 of Fi re 1. Figure 6 is a section on line 6-6 of Figure 2. Q

Referring now to the drawings wherein similar reference characters are used to designate similar parts throughout the several views, the reference character 10 designates a handle member which is preferably made of some insulating material such as hard rubber, and provided at its upper end with a metallic sleeve 11 having a center seat 12. The seat 12 is preferably of a spherical curvature for the reception of a ball joint 13, also s herically curved on its exterior surface.

o-operating with the sleeve 11 above the seat 12 is a locking ring 14 which may bc screwed into place in the extremity of the sleeve to clamp the ball joint 13 against the spherical seat 12.

The upper extremity of the sleeve 11 is preferably screw threaded to which is secured a tubular member 15 which forms a housing for an illuminating means carried by the ball joint 13. The tubular member 15 is preferably provided with diametrically opposed openings 16 for the ready manipulation and inspection of arts as will be hereinafter pointed out. otatably mounted upon the housing 15 is another tubular member 17 which has diametrically opposed openings 18 and preferably a knurled portion 19 to facilitate an easy rotation. It will be noted that in Figures 1, 3 and 5, the member 17 is illustrated in such a position as to close the openings 16,- whereas in Figure 2, the openings 16 and 18 are shown in alignment.

The ball joint 13 has a central bore 20 which is here shown as being screw threaded for the reception of the butt 21 of an incandescent bulb 22. This bulb is provided with a filament 23 and a center contact 24.

Carried by the housing 15 is an insulation washer which carries a tubular extension 25 which has a central longitudinal opening forming the light passage way 26. The lower end of the extension 25 is equipped with a sliding sleeve 27 having suitably fastened therein the condensing lenses 28. Substantially midway `ofits length and at one side the member 27 is screw threaded for the receptionof a locking screw 29 having a suitably roughened or knurled head 30 for its easy manipulation. This locking screw 29 extends through a slot 31 in the side of thc tubular member 25, whereby the lens carrying-member 27 may be moved longitudinally of its axis and locked in any desired adjusted position. At its upper end, the light passage way is provided with another condensing lens 32 which is here shown as being of a smaller diameter than the lens 28, but which obviously may be of any size or surface curvature desired.

At the upper end of the light passage way is a suitable flange 33 lprovided with threaded apertures on opposite sides of the lens 32, said apertures being ada. ted to receive the screws 34 which form pivots for lens carrying rings 35. The rings 35 have suitably mounted therein films or lenses 36 which preferably have certain light absorbing characteristics so that they may act as light filters or screens. Each of the members 36 has a different property and is so designed that either one may be selectively used for making different types of diagnostic observations.

Secured by any suitable means to the tubular extension 25 is a plate 37 which forms one side of a lens housing 38 in which is rotatably mounted a pair of lens carrying disks 39. The disks 39 carry a plurality of lenses 40 as is well known to those skilled in the art, each of these lenses having a different focal value. The plate 37 and housing 38 are provided with sight openings 41 substantially aligned with the axis of the condensing lenses 32 and 28 (see Figures 1 and 2). On the front side of the plate 37 and directly above the light passage way is an angularly disposed reflector which -is preferably made of the two parts 42 and 43 slightly spaced apart as at 44 so that the operator when using the instrument may sight through the reflector. Because of the fact that the reflector is made of two parts with a space between them, it will be readily apparent that the sight opening so produced will be of elongated form as clearly shown.

Referring particularly to Figure 2, it will be seen that the handle member 10 is centrally bored as at 45 for the reception of a metallic tube 46 which contacts with one terminal 47 of the electric connection plug 48. Inside the metallic tube 46 are the bushings 49 and 50 of insulating material in the cen ter of which is a post 51 which is engaged by the second contact 52 of the attachment plug 48. A transverse hole 53 contains a compression spring 54 which makes contact between the tubular member 46 and the sleeve 11, whereby the electric current is transmitted to the socket 13 forming one side of the circuit which supplies energy to the illuminating bulb 22. The upper extremity of the post 51 is provided with a resiliently mounted plunger 55 which has an enlarged end 56, the upper side of which is spherically curved and concave for contact with the center 24 of the lamp butt 21. Of course it will be understood that the center 24 is properly insulated from the butt 21 and that one end of the filament 23 is connected to the member 21 while its other end is connected to the center 24, as is the usual practice.

The lower end of the tubular member 45 is slotted as at 57 (see Eig. 6) so as to give it sutiicient resiliency to tightly clamp the plug member 47. The lower end of the post 51 is also slotted as at 58 so it will make good contact with the central terminal 52 of the plug 48.

As has been previously pointed out, certain variations occur in the manufacture of incandescent bulbs whereby the position of the center of the filament varies. With my construction I insert a bulb 22 in the ball joint or socket 13; then I loosen the clamp nut 14 and move the member 13 either laterally, transversely, or both as desired, so as to align the center of the filament with the axis of the condensing lenses 28 and 32. In

, this way, the lenses will properly transmit the fulllight from the bulb 22. At the same time as this adjustment is being made, the socket 13 may be easily rotated about its vertical axis so as to position the filament in a plane transverse to that of the sight opening 44, as is clearly shown in Figure 2. When these positions have been obtained, the lock ring 14 is screwed down so as to hold the bulb firmly in the desired position, after which the condensing lenses l28 are adjusted through the instrumentality of the screw 29 and knurled head 30 so as to properly focus the light to give vthe desired result.

The instrument may be used with a. clear' light for making certain types of observations. In this case both of the light filters 36 are out of operative position as shown in Figure 2. If it is desired to absorb certain of the light rays one of the screens 36 is moved into operative position by swinging its carrying ring 35 about the pivot 34 as will be easily appreciated from the construction illustrated and described. The technical use of the instrument is suliiciently well known to those skilled in the art and a more complete description of its operation is not deemed necessary in this application since the usev of the rotatable lens carrying plate 40 is not new and furthermore since the invention is not to be confined to this particular type of instrument. While I have illustrated and described my invention as embodied in an ophthalmoscope, I desire it to be'strictly understood that it is equally applicable to other instruments such as a re-.

tinoscope, otoscope, etc.- Furthermore it w1ll be obvious that modifications may be .made in the details of construction and aring from the spirit of my invention and the scope of the'subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In a device of the character described, an adjustably mounted illuminating means, a light passageway extending therefrom, a lens disposed in the passageway, and means for longitudinally moving the lens to compensate for adjustment of the illuminating means.

2. In a device of the characterdescribed, an illuminating bulb, a light passageway extending therefrom, a lens disposed in the passageway, means for adjusting the illuminating bulb laterally relative to the light passageway, and means for adjusting the lens longitudinally to compensate for the adjustment of the bulb.

3. In a device of the character described, a handle provided with a ball socket, an electric lamp mounted in the socket, a light passageway extending therefrom, a condensing lens disposed in the passageway, and means for longitudinally adjusting the lens in the passageway.

4. In a device of the character described, the combination with a universally movable lamp socket, of a yieldable center Contact cooperating therewith, said center having a spherical surface disposed toward the socket.

5. In a device of the character described, a support, a universall movable socket therein, a lamp carried by the socket, and a yieldable contact post mounted on the support in line with the socket.

6. In a device of the character described, a support, a universally movable socket therein, a lamp centrally mounted in the Socket, a yieldable post carried by the support and disposed toward the socket and a concave contact surface on the extremity of the yieldable post.

7. In a device of the character described, a handle, a lamp receiving socket carried by one end thereof, a metallic tube extending through the handle, one end of said tube having connection to the socket and the other end being adapted to receive and contact with the exterior of a detachable plug, a metallic post disposed within the tube and insulated therefrom, the plug end of said post being adapted to receive the central pole of the detachable plug, and a yieldable plunger mounted in the socket and lof the ost. p 8. In a device of the character described, a handle, a lamp receiving socket carried hy one end thereof, a metallic tube extending through the handle, one end of said tube having connection to the socket and the other end being adapted to receive and contact with the exterior of a detachable plug, a metallic post'disposed within the tube and insulated therefrom, the plug end ot said post being adapted to receive the central pole of the detachable plug, and the other end to make central contact with the lamp.

i). In a device ot' the character described, a handle having a longitudinal bore, a lamp receiving socket attached to the upper end thereof, a metallic tube mounted in the bore and having its upper end connected to the socket, a metallic post disposed within the tube and spaced from the walls thereof, the lower end of the post having a recess and a spring pressed plunger mounted in the upper end ot' the post.

10. In a device of the character described, a handle having a longitudinal bore, a lamp receiving socket attached to the upper end thereof, a metallic tube mounted in the bore and having its upper endconneeted to the socket, a metallic post disposed within. the tube and spaced from the walls thereof, the lower end of the post having a recess, a spring pressed plunger mounted in the upper end of the post, and a concave spherical head on the plunger.

11. In a device of the character described, a light, a light passage way for conducting the-lght-rays, a support at the side of the passage way, and a lens cell pivoted on the support and adapted to be swung on its pivot into or out of alignment with the light rays in the light passage way.

l2.- In a device of the character described, a light, a light passage way for conducting Ithe light rays, a support on each side of the passage way, and a lens cell pivoted on each support and adapted to be swung on its pivot into or out of alignment withthe light rays in the light passage way.

1 3. In a device of the character described, a light, a light passage way for conducting the light rays, a slide in the passage Way, a

lens in the slide, and means for moving the` slide, and a member projecting lrom theslideithrough the longitudinal opening in the passage way, whereby the slide may be moved longitudinally ot the passage way.

l5. In a device of the character described, a light and a lighbpassage way for conducting the light rays, comprising a tube in two sections detachably united, a lens adjacent the end of one of the sections, a slide in the other section, a lens in the slide, and means to move the slide lon itudinally.

1G. In a device of t ie character described, a handle having a spherical socket and openings in the walls, a spherical member seated in the socket, a lamp in the spherical member, and a cover having openings rotatably held on the handle whereby the openings in the cover may be made to align with the openings in the handle to expose the lamp and the solid portions of the cover made to the openings in the handle to hide the 1g 17. -In a device of the character described,

-af handle, a tube on the handle having a spherical seat, peripheral openingsl and a screw threaded portion near the seat, a ball member having a socket for the lamp seated in the spherical seat, a ring in the tube having a portion adapted to fit over the ball member, and a threaded portion adapted to engage the threaded portion of the tube whereby the ball member may be tightened or loosened in the seat and the lamp tightened or loosened in the ball member through the peripheral openings in the tube.

HENRY L. Dn ZENG. 

